Braised Lamb with Giant White Beans

Ingredients

1. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2. 10 garlic cloves, 4 minced, 6 peeled
3. 1 medium onion, finely chopped
4. 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
5. 1 1/4 pounds dried giant haricots blancs or giant lima beans, soaked overnight and drained
6. 2 large thyme sprigs, plus 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
7. 1 quart plus 1 cup chicken stock
8. 1 quart water
9. One 6-ounce piece of slab bacon
10. Salt and freshly ground pepper
11. 1 tablespoon minced parsley
12. 4-pound boneless lamb shoulder roast, trimmed of excess fat

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the minced garlic, onion and carrot and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the haricot blancs, thyme sprigs, 1 quart of the stock and the water and bring to a boil. Add the bacon and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the beans are very tender, about 2 1/2 hours. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the parsley.
2. Meanwhile, rub the lamb all over with the chopped thyme, season with salt and roll into the shape of a roast; tie at 1-inch intervals with kitchen string.
3. Set the roast in a shallow 12-inch baking dish. Add the remaining 1 cup of stock and roast the lamb for 30 minutes. Add the remaining 6 garlic cloves, cover with foil and roast for 2 1/2 hours, turning once, until the lamb is tender. Transfer the lamb to a carving board. Cover loosely with foil for 10 minutes.
4. Mash the garlic into the pan juices and season with salt. Carve the lamb into thick slices. Serve the lamb with the pan sauce and the beans.